Abstract: A snowmobile includes a chassis, at least one ski, and a skid frame that includes one or more slide rails extending longitudinally, rear idler wheels, upper idler wheels, and a rear suspension. The rear suspension may further include a flexible, composite member, a rear shock connected between the one or more slide rails and the upper cross member, a rear shock link, a rear cross member connected between the one or more slide rails and a lower shock pivot member pivotally connected to the rear cross member. The rear shock is connected to a rear portion of the lower shock pivot member and the rear shock link is connected via a spherical pivot joint to a forward end of the lower shock pivot member. The flexible, composite member is coupled at a first end to the one or more slide rails and at a second end to the chassis.

Abstract: A suspension spring unit for a vehicle chassis can be positioned between a vehicle body and a wheel carrier. In some examples, the suspension spring unit may comprise at least four fiber composite leaf springs. The leaf springs may have a flat extent between two spring ends and may be connected to each other in pairs at a distance from each other. End connecting elements disposed over the spring ends may receive the spring ends so as to form at least two leaf spring pairs arranged in series. The leaf spring pairs may be connected to each other by central connecting elements via central regions between the spring ends of the leaf springs.

Abstract: A leaf spring support is provided for the mutual lateral support of, and insertion between, two leaves in a leaf spring assembly comprises a base portion, from which lateral wings extend upwards and downwards in relation to the plane of the base portion. The distance between the wings is such that the leaves fit between the wing portions. The downwardly extending wings are placed on either side of the upwardly extending wings.

Abstract: A workholding apparatus includes a top jaw member and a bottom master jaw element. The master jaw element is movably supported on a base member and has a keypart fixed thereto and projecting upwardly. The keypart receives the top jaw member. An aperture of the top jaw member having closed ends, and an open mouth surrounded by vertical walls, fits over the keypart of the top jaw member. The keypart can have a cross-section having portions resembling a double dovetail configuration. The aperture of the top jaw member has similar dovetail-shaped sections to receive the keypart. The keypart includes a takeup member having an arcuate keeper element secured and projecting from a surface of the keypart opposite the dovetail-shaped portions. The keeper element projects outwardly a small distance to seat on an inclined surface of the aperture very close to the vertical walls thereof. Thus the top member preferably is contacted by the keeper element at a location on the inclined surface within about 0.

Abstract: A flowgrid regulator for use as a flow control device in conjunction with a pilot system. The invention includes a valve body, containing a flow barrier, that connects to a spring casing with a throttling plate, spacer and diaphram sandwiched therebetween. The throttling plate intersects the barrier and includes openings on either side of the barrier intersection for passing a flow under pressure therethrough. The diaphram is constructed of a non stretchable flexible material and is maintained to move vertically above the throttling plate to position a throttling element bonded thereto into covering engagement with the throttling plate openings. The diaphram position is controlled by a combination of spring force and pressure differential as supplied by the pilot system connection thereto to urge the throttling element against the throttling plate openings thereby controlling flow area and flow rate.